Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is produced in a suspension process by adding a blowing agent, usually pentane, which causes resin to foam during moulding. The process may be performed as a single step or a two step process.
The two step process passes the blowing agent though the polystyrene beads during, or after, polymerisation. The resultant beads are then subjected to steam heating to above their glass transition temperature resulting in the beads expanding (by 40 to 80 times) and produce the cellular form. The resulting product is then moulded.
The one step process employs direct thermal extrusion of the material after blowing and is mostly used for sheet and film manufacture.
Polystyrene, expandable
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Polystyrene, expandable
Uses and Outlook
Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid cellular form of polystyrene with good thermal insulation and shock absorbing properties, high compressive strength, very low weight and resistance to moisture. These properties of EPS bring many benefits, in particular to the construction and packaging industries.
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